September 30, 2025 – Today is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Established in 2021, this national day of commemoration and reflection is an important day for Canadians to honour and remember the children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities.
It is also a day to inspire Canadians to reflect upon their role in reconciliation – today and every day. For there to be true reconciliation, we must acknowledge that we all have a role to play. We need to listen to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledge keepers, reflect upon the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and take meaningful action.
Today is also Orange Shirt Day – an important day recognized in schools and beyond. The day is named in recognition of a movement started by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. On her first day at a residential school in Williams Lake, B.C., her new orange shirt was stripped from her and never seen again. By wearing orange, we declare that Every Child Matters, and we also express our steadfast support for ending bullying and racism – in schools and everywhere.
As part of the reconciliation process, all Canadians are compelled to recognize and reflect upon the history and legacy of residential schools across Canada – so that Phyllis’ story and the story of thousands of other children are never forgotten.
To learn more about what you can do to participate in reconciliation, please visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
